Cannery cover loading device and method of using same



Nov. 27, 1956 w. D. DUBIN EI'AL 2,772,005

CANNERY COVER LOADING DEVICE AND METHOD OF usmc; SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1PV/LLMM D. Due/Al, FPED Miami/Ms,

INVENTOR3..

flrrofiAlE-w Filed Dec. 6. 1954' Nov. 27, 1956 w. D. DUBIN ETAL2,772,005

CANNERY COVER LOADING DEVICE AND METHOD OF usmc SAME Filed Dec. 6, 19543 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wu. 1. I444 D. DUEl/V, 1 950 WTHNE,

I N V EN TORS.

5mm Q Wk Arraeuey Nov. 27, 1956 w. D. DUBlN EI'AL 2,772,005

CANNERY COVER LOADING DEVICE AND METHOD OF usmc SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 3fire: 9.

Filed Dec. 6. 1954 71 744 MM D Dua /v, 1 7950 WHTHNE,

' INVENTORS.

lrraiP/vsy United States atent G CANNERY COVER LOADING DEVICE AND METHODOF USING SAME William D. Dubin and Fred Wathne, Long Beach, Qaiif.

Application December 6, 1954, Serial No. 473,116 16 Claims. (Cl. 214-16)The present invention relates to the field of canning equipment, andmore particularly to a device that automatically maintains the magazinesof a battery of cover applying machines with an adequate supply ofcovers which are applied as required to cans passing through theapplying machines.

The arrangement of cover applying machines in batteries in canner-iesand other food processing plants, as well as other plants in which bothedible and nonedible products are placed in cans, is by no means new.iowever, in the past, it has been common practice to arrange coverapplying machines in such a configuration, with covers being manuallysupplied thereto as required. In numerous instances, due to human error,as well as carelessness on the part of employees, the magazines of thecover applying machines have not always been adequtely supplied withcovers, resulting in production delays and needless operating expense.

A distinct disadvantage in maintaining an adequate supply of covers inthe magazines by means of manual labor resides in the fact that it iseconomically unsound, for the same operation may be carried outmechanically with certainty at but a fraction of the cost of the handoperation.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a mechanicaldevice that automatically fills the magazines of a battery of coverapplying machines with covers, which requires a minimum of attentionfrom the plant operating personnel.

Another object of the invention is to supply covers to magazines ofapplying machines in such a manner that the possibility of one or moreof the machines being shut down for lack of adequate cover supply isvirtually eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device thataccomplishes its intended function with certainty, at a relatively lowoperating cost, and requires a minimum of maintenance attention.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cover supplyingdevice by means of which predetermined relatively large quantitiesofcovers may be delivered to cover magazines in sequence, yet with theconveyor belt forming a part of the invention operating ata relativelylow rate of speed.

Still another object of the invention is to supply a cover conveyingdevice that requires a rninimum of floor space for installation, isquite versatile relative to installation conditions and floor .plan, inthat it may be easily and simply adapted to the existing spacingarrangement of cover applying machines already installed. These andother objects of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred form in which: V

Figure l is a perspective view of the invention showing the manner inwhieach of a number of cartridg es are filled with covers for delivery tothe magazines as required; w

1Figure'2is a vertical cross-sectional view of one of "ice one of thecartridges shown receiving a charge of covers;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device that deposits apredetermined charge of covers into the cartridge;

Figure 4 is an end view of one of the cartridges shown in position toreceive a charge of covers, taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the cartridges showntransporting a charge of covers;

Figure 6 is an end view of the cartridge shown in Figure 5 as seen fromthe direction of the arrow 6 shown therein;

Figure 7 is an end View of the cartridge shown in Figure 5 as seen fromthe direction of the arrow 7 shown therein;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the trip ping log shown onthe cartridge in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the cartridges with a portionthereof broken away to show the spring means utilized in maintaining thecartridge in a coverholding position;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a pivotally mounted andcounter-weighted cradle that transfers a charge of covers from acartridge to a magazine;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a cradle andmagazine showing the end portions thereof adjacently situated to permitslidable transfer of the covers from the cradle to the magazine;

Figure 11a is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of theoutwardly disposed end portion of the cradle; and,

Figure 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device shown inFigure 10 taken on line 12-12 thereof.

Referring now to Figures 1, 5 and 10 for the general arrangement of theinvention, it will be seen that a constant supply of lids or covers C ismaintained and delivered as required to a cylindrical loader L fromwhich they are discharged as unit charges U of a predetermined numberinto cartridges R. A number of cartridges R are provided that aretransversely disposed and longitudinally spaced on two laterallyseparated endless chain belts B which are rotatably mounted on sprocketsS.

A number of pivotally mounted cradles A are positioned below belts B.Each cradle is adapted to receive a charge U of covers from one of thecartridges R and deliver same to an angularly disposed magazine Mwherein the covers are stored prior to use in a particular one of abattery of cover applying machines (not shown).

In detail, each of the cartridges as may best be seen in Figures 5 and9, includes two longitudinal segments 20 and 22 of a cylindrical shellof sufiicient circumferential length to prevent the displacement of aunit charge U of covers when disposed within the confines thereof.Segments 2!) and 22 are provided with a plurality of aligned eyes 24 inthe adjacent edges thereof, which eyes are engaged by a rod 26 on whichthe segments may pivot relative to one another. A helical spring 28(Figure 9) encircles rod 26, with the outwardly extending portions 23aand 28b of the spring tending at all times to pivot the segmentsinwardly towards one another.

A first circular plate 3!) from which a segment is removed therefrom todefine a horizontal edge 32, is transversely disposed within theconfines of segments 26 and Z2, inwardly from end edges Ziia and 22athereof. A hinge 34- pivotally connects the lower central portion ofplate 3% to the interior lower surface of either one of segments 2% and22. A tensioned helical spring 36 transversely extends between segments2%) and 22. The central portion of spring 56 is situated in an openingformed in a rigid member 38 that projects outwardly from a verticalfirst-leg 40 of an L-shaped member 4 2. Member 42 also includes ahorizontal outwardly extending second leg 43 on the upper extremity ofwhere an upwardly disposed cam 44 is formed. n 7 I A second plate 46,.identical in shape to plate 30, is transversely positioned betweensegments 29 and. 22, and aifixed to the interior surface of segment 21).A tensioned helical spring 36" that is, horizontally disposed whencartridge R is in the position shown in Figure 5, extends betweensegments and 22, adjacent to the plate 46. In Figures 7 and. 8 it willbe seen that a tripping lug 50 projects outwardly from cartridge segmentAn elongate arm 52 extend upwardly andoutwardly from plate laterallyoffset from the balance of the chain links forming the belts B. Inaddition, links 64 are slidably mounted onthe upper surfaces of tworigid elongate parallel members 66, and serve to hold the upper run 68of belt B in a fried horizontal plane. Sprockets S are parallel shafts70 and 70 that are rotatably supported by conventional bearings. Arotatably driven member 71 is mounted on one end of shaft 70, whichmember engages an endless belt '72 that in turn engages a rotatabledriving member 7 4j A motor 76, or other prime mover, drives a gear box78 which in turn imparts rotary motion to driving member 74.

In Figure 1 the direction of movement of belts B is indi cated by thearrow 80, and it will be seen that the cartridges R pass in successionunder loader L to receive a cover charge U. For reasons that will beexplained in detail hereinafter, only those cartridges R that are emptyactuate the loader to discharge a cover unit U.

Loader L, as may best be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, includes adownwardly sloping chute 82 in which a succession of covers C aredisposed side-by-side relationship. Chute 82 is rigidly supported in thedesired position on the upper portion of a vertically positioned plate84.

ported in a collar 116. A stiff resilient spring 121 extends downwardlyover anelectrical switch 122 which is enclosed in a'small, substantiallysquare housing 124 the face 124a of which is in vertical alignment withthe outer face of spring 12b. Switch 122 is normally open, but is.

the semi-circular stop, and in so doing, move the rod Two elongatecylindrical segments 86 and 88 are provided having eyes $8 formed in theadjacent edge portions thereof through which a rod 92 extends topivotally sup 7 port segment '88 relative to segment 86, which segmentsare in alignment with chute 82. When in the closed position shown inFigure 3, segments 86 and 88 are capable of receiving and removablyholding a charge U of covers C. Movement of covers C into loader L iscontrolled by blade 90 of angular configuration that has an ofiset firstpdrtionlSfla (Figure 2) which may be disposed to contact the lowerexterior surface of the outermost cover C in chute 82. A'fsecond portion98b of the blade is rigidly aflixed to a shaft 92 and is supported in abore formed in plate 84.

A first arm 94 extends outwardly from shaft 92, which arm is pivotallyconnected to a plunger 96 that is slidably movable in a solenoid 98.Plunger 96 is provided with a stop 100 that limits the maximum inwardmovement thereof. A second arm 102 extends outwardly from shaft 92, anda tensioned spring 184 is connected on the outer end of arm 162 which atall times tends to rotate shaft 92 in a clockwise direction and moveblade portion 98a downwardly to permit covers to slide into loader L.

Blade 90 is actuated to assume the position shown in Figure 4 in whichposition it blocks movement of covers C to loader L, only after theloader has dumped a charge of covers into one of the cartridges R. Asemi-circular lug 1149 rigidly aflixed to the loader interior (Figure 2)determines the number of covers C constituting each unit U chargethereof. Detecting whether the loader L contains a charge U isaccomplished by means of a pressure plate 112, transversely disposed inthe loader and supported on the'inner extremity of a rod 114 projectinginto the lower end'of the loader, which rod is slidably sup 114outwardly. Outward movement of rod 114 causes the spring affixed theretoto first push button 128 outwardly and complete an electrical circuit(not shown) to the solenoid, that moves first blade portion a to theposition shown in Figure 2 to block further'movement of covers C fromthe chute to the loader. Due to the weight of the covers C in loader L,suificient additional force is applied to the resilient spring to. causethe lower portion thereof to cause the lower portion thereof to pivot inwardly on the upper edge of face 124a of the" switch (Figure 2). lievesall pressure'on the switch button 126 whereby'the electrical circuit tothe solenoid is broken. However, blade portion 913a is then frictionallyheld between the covers in the chute and loader L, and is somaintaineduntil the covers are dumped from theloader whereupon the spring aifixedto arm 102 moves blade 90' down-' wardly to permit entry of anothercover charge U into 7 Movement of the covers C the loader from thechute. from the chute into the loader causes repetition of th abovedescribed operation.

I In Figure 2 it will be noted that a horizontally disposed trip lug 120 projects from the chute-supporting plate 84, When a cartridge R movesinto position under the loader to receive a charge U of covers, the cam'44 slidably engages the lug and pivots plate 30 in a counter clockwisedirection to enlarge the space within the cartridge into which thecharge may drop. After bar 134 of angular shape. .Bar 134 has a verticalrear edge 136 that is contacted by the lug 50 shown in Figure 7 8, whenthe cartridge passing under the loader is empty.

When a loaded cartridge R passes under the loader, the

lug 50 does not contact edge 136, for a pin 138rnounted on the baradjacent edge 136 is contacted by the upper surface of the covers C inthe cartridge whereby the bar is raised sufiiciently to preventactivation of. the dumping bar. I

However, when an empty cartridge R passes under loader L, the lug 50contacts edge 136 and the bar 134 is advanced in the same direction asthat of belts B. Bar 134 is provided with a roller 140 that travelsalong the slightly curved upper edge of a track 142. This travel ofroller 140 gradually elevates edge 136, with this elevation of the edgefinally resulting in disengagement of being available for discharge intoone of the magazines,

This pivotal movement-of the spring re- M whenrequired. Discharg'e ofcovers C from one of the cartridges R into one of the magazines M iseffected when the cartridges are disposed on the under side of the beltsB. A frame F is provided that pivotally supports a number of thetransversely disposed cradles A under the belts B, and in verticalalignment with the magazines M.

Each of the cradlesA comprises a flat rectangular bottorn 152, an endwall 154, and two side walls 156 and 156'. The end edges of bottom 152,and side walls 156 and 156' cooperatively define an open end 169 throughwhich covers C may slide from a cradle A when it is angularly disposed,into the particular magazine M associated therewith, as may best be seenin Figure 10.

Each of the cradles A is provided with a bearing 162 that pivotallyengages a rod 164 rigidly mounted on the frame F. A rigid member 166extends outwardly from the cradle, and has a counterweight 168 mountedon the end thereof. The length of member 166 and the magnitude of thecounter weight 168 are so selected that the cradle will, when notrestrained from so doing, pivot to the position shown in Figure 10.

Covers C disposed in cradle A are prevented from falling' from the openend 160 thereof by a semicircular ring 170', the inner circumference 172of which is of such size that covers C may pass therethrough. The ring170 has a lip 174 extending outwardly therefrom, and has elongatestraight extensions 176 on the ends thereof that slidably engagestraight bore-defining means 180 mounted on the cradle. the weight ofthe ring 170, this ring normally assumes the low position shown inFigure 11a where it blocks movement of thecovers C from the open end 160of the cradle. A rigid member 182 extends upwardly from one of thecradle side walls, which member is adapted to engage lug to cause acartridge R to open and dump a unitU of the covers into the cartridgewhen in a coverreceiving position.

After a unit U of covers is dumped into a cradle by a cartridge, theweight of the covers causes the cradle to immediately pivot downwardlyuntil it encounters an angularly disposed rigid member 186, at whichpoint member 186 is in alignment with magazine M. The lip 174 of thering 176 encounters a portion 190 of magazine M as the cradle moves intoalignment with the magazine, and as a result, the ring 179 is movedupwardly relative to the cradle to the extent that the innercircumferential ring portion 172 permits covers to move into themagazine.

Each of the magazines M has an electrical switch 192 F that is sensitiveto the quantity of covers C in the magazine. A solenoid 194 is provided,mounted on the member 186 in such a position that a plunger 194ahorizontally movable by activation of the solenoid may be caused toengage an opening 196 formed in a rigid member 198 depending downwardlyfrom the outer end of the cradle as shown in Figures 10 and 12.

After pivoting downwardly to deliver covers C to a magazine cradle A isprevented from immediately returning to the position shown in Figure 10,due to the fact that the plunger has assumed the locking position shownin Figure 12 upon completion of an electrical circuit to solenoid 194.When further covers C are needed for a magazine M, the solenoid-operatedpin is withdrawn from its locking position, and the cradle pivots toagain receive a charge U of covers.

The invention above described is simple to use after installation. Theoperator simply maintains an adequate supply of covers C in the chute 82and the cartridges R thereafter are automatically filled at the loader Las required, with the magazines M likewise receiving a charge U ofcovers as needed to at all times maintain an adequate suply of coverstherein.

Although this apparatus and method of supplying a Due to its slidablesupport on the cradle, and

plurality of magazines with} quantity of coversfrom a central locationhas been found to provide the advantages and fulfill the objectsoutlined hereinabove, it is to be understood that the invention as abovedescribed is merely the presently preferred embodiment thereof, andthere is no intention to limit sameto the details of construction hereinshown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for use in automatically distributing covers from particularlocation to a plurality of openrnouthed magazines associated withindividual cover applying machines, including: driven belt meanslocatedadiacent to and above said magazines; means that continuouslysupply said covers; loading means adapted to receive said covers, whichloading means is positioned above said belt means; means for limitingthe quantity of said covers to a predetermined charge thereof; actuatingmeans for said loading means to cause discharge thereby or" said covercharge; a plurality of cartridges mounted in spaced relationship on saidbelt means, each of which cartridges is adapted to removably hold saidcover charge; movably mounted loading means adapted to receive one ofsaid charges when in a first position and to transfer same into one ofsaid magazines; means associated with each of said magazines, whichmeans is sensitive to the quantity of said covers contained in saidmagazines; means that maintain each of said movably mounted means insaid second position until said quantity sensitive means signals that aparticular one of said magazines requires another one of said charges;means that return said movably mounted means to said first positionafter said maintaining means receives said signal; means that cause acartridge to receive one of said charges as it passes under said loadingmeans; means mounted on said cartridges that causes one of saidcartridges when empty to actuate said loading means when said emptycartridge passes thereunder; and means for locking movement of saidcovers from said supply means to said loading means during the time oneof said charges is being transferred from said loading means to one ofsaid cartridges.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said driven belt means aretwo laterally spaced, parallel, endless chain belts, the upperhorizontal portions of which slidably rest on rigid supports andmaintain said cartridges in a fixed plane at least during the loadingoperation, with said belts being rotatably supported by power-drivensprockets.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which said supply means is anelongate chute that slopes downwardly toward said loading means at asufiicient angle that said covers will gravitatingly slide thereon whendisposed in said chute.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said loading means is formedfrom first and second semi-cylindrical shells that are transverselydisposed above said belt, wh ch shells communicate with the lower end ofsaid chute and receive said covers therefrom, said first shell beingstationary with the longitudinal edges thereof in a vertical plane, saidsecond shell being parallel to said first shell to define a cylindricalspace in which a plurality of said covers may be placed, with the upperadjoining edge portion of said second shell being pivotally connected tothat of said first shell to permit covers contained in said space todrop therefrom when said second shell is. pivoted outwardly from saidfirst shell.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said quantity limiting meansis a solenoid actuated member capable of moving to a position toobstruct movement of covers from said chute to said loading means.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said sole noid is actuated bya normally open electrical ci cuit comprising a switch that ismomentarily closed when said loading means has received said covercharge, with said momentarily closed circuit causing said solenoidactuated member to move into a position'to obstruct movement of coversfrom said chute into said space defined by said'shells, which member isheld in said ohstructing position due to pressure exerted thereon bysaid covers in said chute until after discharge of said covers from saidshells. V

7. A device as defined in claim 6 in which said eartridges are pairs ofcurved members transversely and pivotally supported from said belts,which members are so supported as to depend downwardly when in thelowermost position on said belts, with said pairs of members 'beingcapable of removably supporting said charges Within the confinesthereof.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 in which each pair of said curvedmembers is provided with spring that maintains said members in aposition to grip and removably hold said covers disposed within theconfines thereof.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 in which each of a said pairs ofcurved members has vertically positioned plates disposed within theconfines of the end portions thereof, which plates are so held bytensioned spring means that at all times urge said curved members intocontact with portions of the edges of said plates, each oi said pairs ofcurved members, plates and spring means cooperatively defining a spacein which said cover charge may be transported, with said space beingcapable of enlargement by outward pivotal movement of said curvedmembers relative to one another to permit disposition of coverstherebetween or discharge therefrom.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 in which said movably mounted meansis one of a plurality of elongate cradles transversely disposed beneathsaid belts in a position to receive .a charge of said covers from one ofsaid cartridges, each of which movably mounted means is pivotallysupported and so weighted as to be horizontally disposed in acharge-receiving position when empty, but with the weight of said covercharge contained in said cradle being sufiicient to unbalance saidweighted cradle to cause downward movement thereof at such an angle thatsaid covers disposed therein will slide into the one of said magazinesassociated therewith.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 in which each of said cradles isprovided with movable stop in the end portion thereof through which saidcovers are discharged into one of said magazines, which stop when saidcradle is in a horizontal position prevents discharge of said coversfrom said cradle, but which stop is concurrently moved into a positionto permit transfer of said covers from said magazines as said cradleassumes a com-municating position with one of said magazines.

12. A device as defined in claim '11 in which each of said cradles isheld in an angular position by means of a solenoid operated lock.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 in which each of said coversensitive means is an electrical switch that is responsive to thequantity of said covers contained in that magazine with which it isassociated, which switch is a component of an electrical circuit ofwhich said solenoid operated lock forms a part, said circuit beingclosed by asserts said switch when said magazine requires additionalcovers to cause movement of 'said'lock to a position where said Weightedcradle pivots upwardly into a, charge receiving position under saidbelt. V V 7 14. A device as defined in claim 13 in which each of saidcartridges is provided with an engageable member that is adapted to movesaid cartridge when sufiicient force is exerted thereon against thetension of said springs to cause separation of said curved members tothe extent that a cover charge is deposited in or removed from saidcartridge, with each of said cradles being provided with a rigidengaging member that is at all times stationary relative to longitudinalbel-t movement, and each 7 of said cradles when horizontally disposedhaving said? engaging member so positioned as to contact said engageablemember to cause said charge therein to drop into said cradle. V 7 a 15.A device as defined in claim 14 in which said second semi-cylindricalshell of said loading. means has a tripping lever pivotally supportedtherefrom,-which when forcibly moved, causes said second shell to moverelative to said first shell to permit said cover charge held by saidfirst and second shells to drop downwardly therefrom, which trippinglever has means associated therewith that slidably contact the uppersurfaces of said cover charges contained in said cartridges as they passunder said shells to pivot said tripping lever into a position out ofcontact with said engageable members on'said cartridges.

16. A method of distributing can covers from a particular location to aplurality of open-mouthed magazines in accordance with the requirementsof machines associated with said magazines, comprising: continuouslysupplying covers to a particular location; intermittently moving apredetermined quantity of said covers from said location to a firstlocation; continuously moving a plurality of separatedcover-transporting 'means'under said first location .and through a paththat is adjacent to each of said magazines, each of said means beingcapable of transporting one of said predetermined quantities;maintaining transverse, horizontal, angul-arly movable confined spacesunder said path in positions that each of said confined spaces canreceive one of said predetermined quan-. tities from one of saidtransport-ing means; pivoting each of said angularly movable confinedspaces after it receives one of said predetermined quantities to anangular position where said predetermined quantity of covers isdischarged into one of said magazines; filling each of saidcover-transporting means that has delivered said covers to one of saidconfined spaces with one of. said predetermined quantities of saidcovers as it passes under said first location; and returning each ofsaid confined spaces to said horizontally disposed position to receiveanother predetermined quantity of said covers after the quantity of saidcovers in one of said magazines falls below a predetermined minimumvalue. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

